Apparatus for thawing frozen pipes



(No Model.)

B. SPENCER APPARATUS FOR THAWING FROZEN PIPES.

Patented Aug. 23,1881.

ZZZ/9935011 6% Y W A nrren STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD SPENCER, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

APPARATUS FOR THAW ING FROZEN PIPES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 246,231, dated August23, 1881.

Application filed February 18, 1881.

To allwhom it may concern Be it known that 1, EDWARD SPENCER, of thecity .of St. Louis, in the State of Missouri, have invented a. certainnew and useful Apparatus for Thawing Ice in VVater'Pipes, &c., of whichthe following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference beinghad to the accompanying drawings, making part of this specification.

The object of my invention is the thawing of ice in water and otherpipes that may be obstructed thereby.

The apparatus consists of a portable boiler, beneath which is a fixed orremovable heating device, that may consist ofeither coal-oil, spirit orother lamp, or charcoal or other furnace. From the steam-chamber extendsa pipe or pipes for the discharge of steam. The pipeis preferablyflexible, or has one or more flexible portions, to enable thedischarging end or nozzle of the pipe to be directed to any pointwithout changing the position of the boiler. I prefer to supply thesteam-pipe with anon-conducting sleeve or handle for the grasp of thehand in directing the steamjet.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of an apparatusillustrating my invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the same.

The drawings show a boiler with atire-chamher fixed thereto; but I donot contine myself to this construction, as the boiler may be maderemovable from the fire-chamber or furnace. The apparatus admits ofconsiderable modification in all particulars.

As shown in the drawings, A is a fire-chamher, closed by a door, a, andconsistingof sheet metal with perforations for the admission of air.

B is a lamp, (shown withtwoburners.) The lamp may contain alcohol orcoal or other oil. In place of the lamp any suitable furnace may beused. When a furnace is used it may be a fire-pot inserted in thefirechamber, or the fire-chamber may be dispensed with and the boiler beplaced upon and supported by the furnace. I attach a bail to thefurnace, by which the apparatus may be carried.-

Over the fire-box or furnace, as the case may be, is the boiler 0,closed at top by a lid,

(No model.)

D, which is arranged for removal to allow water to be poured into theboiler.

It is not necessary that the boiler should be made to resist any greatsteam-pressure, as the steam has free exit through the steam pipe orpipes E, by which it is directed against the object to be warmed orheated. There may be either one or more steam pipe or pipes proceedingfrom the upper part ofthe boiler. The pipes E may extend from one orboth ends, or from the top of the boiler, or both ends and top. I preferto make the steam-pipe flexible throughout part or the whole of itslength. A flexible part is shown at e. The pipe or pipes may be of anylength required. They may consist wholly of flexible hose.

F is a sleeve of some non-conducting material for the grasp of the hand.(The pipe E and sleeve F are shown broken at the ends, to indicateindefinite length.)

G is the bail or handle by which the apparatus is carried.

By the use of this apparatus objects not accessihle to other means ofheating may be easily reached. Thus the steam may be made to fill achamber containing objects needing thawing when it would be dangerous tointroduce heated air from danger of fire or explosion. On the other handit can be used where the application of hot water would he inadmissiblefrom the injury it would cause by flooding.

It will be seen that the apparatus is simple and cheap in constructionand operation, and supplies a want long felt. It is not liable to getout of order. No mechanical skill is required to operate it.

A safety-valve may be supplied to the boiler G, to allow the escape ofsteam on reaching a certain pressure.

I claim as my invention In a portable thawing apparatus, the combinationof closed steam-chamber O, fire-chamber A, having heating device B,handle or hail G, and steam pipe or hose E, provided with handle F, asset forth.

E. SPENCER. Witnesses:

SAML. KNIGHT, J. E. KNIGHT.

